Legendary agent Renee Stepham dies

Published Monday 30 April 2007 at 11:10 by Patrick Newley

Renee Stepham, one of Britain’s most famous theatre booking agents, has died at the age of 92.

For six decades she booked top shows into Britain’s provincial and West End theatres and her client list included managements, such as Michael Codron, Ray Cooney, Cameron Mackintosh, Brian Rix and Paul Elliott.

She booked stars, such as Bruce Forsyth and Val Doonican, as well as the London Festival Ballet and Ballet Rambert. She also booked the original tour of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap prior to its record-breaking West End run.

She began her career in 1939 as a secretary to Bernard Delfont, but eventually left his agency to set up her own business.

In 2004, producers, managements and actors gathered together at the London Palladium to celebrate her 90th birthday.

She died on April 25. A full obituary will appear in The Stage newspaper.